The High Court has selected a replacement nine-member jury for the murder trial concerning Abby Choi after 54 rounds of public random draws.
The previous jury had seven men and two women. After one juror sought an exemption on health grounds, the acting judge dissolved it and ordered a fresh selection.
The trial is expected to last about 40 days and finish around 26 November 2026, but prospective jurors were told to remain available until 8 December in case proceedings run late.
The case will be heard in English. During the selection, the acting judge told candidates to be honest about their language ability: they should tell the court if their English was insufficient, but should not pretend it was weaker to avoid being chosen or stronger to secure a place.
Several candidates asked to be excused for personal or emotional reasons. One prospective juror said she had witnessed a close relative nearly being killed and hated cases of this kind; the judge excused her. Others cited the distressing nature of the case, concerns about their English, planned overseas travel or the need to care for an ill family member.
The defendants are Choi's former husband, former father-in-law and former elder brother-in-law. They are charged with murdering Choi on 21 February 2023 and preventing the lawful burial of her body between 21 and 23 February. All three deny murder, while the former father-in-law denies the burial charge and the other two defendants admit it.